CFI Grant Yields 10 Times its Value in Matter of Months
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CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell moderates the nonprofit panel during the
State of the Islands Breakfast held on January 29th.
Island hospitality businesses have benefited from more than $1 million in grants in the past year from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Hospitality Cares Fund. SanCap Chamber CEO John Lai recently announced this milestone at the January 29th State of the Islands Breakfast.
Those much-needed funds were secured with the help of Alex Bustamante, the SanCap Chamber Member Services Manager. CFI’s investment of nearly $100,000 was directed towards the Chamber to help small businesses access grant opportunities and alternative sources of funding.
John Lai
It began with the Charitable Foundation for the Islands (CFI) launching the Sanibel Captiva Hurricane Recovery Fund just days after Hurricane Ian landed. The organization’s board recognized that restoring the businesses and accommodations was critical to ensuring the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce remained viable.
The first $100,000 grant from the recovery fund went to the SanCap Chamber. The funds allowed the chamber to hire Alex Bustamente as member services coordinator. Her first assignment: Work with the businesses to obtain grants made available through the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Hospitality Care Program.
Alex Bustamante
“Due to Alex Bustamante’s tenacity and the chamber’s leadership, more than $1 million has been distributed to island hospitality businesses from Hospitality Cares,” said Dolly Farrell, CFI executive director. “And she’s just getting started.”